Method of selectively collecting and/or distributing articles



Oct. 9, 1951 G. F. CHODZIESNER 2,570,918

METHOD OF SELECTIVELY COLLECTING AND/OR DISTRIBUTING ARTICLES Filed Sept. 30, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG! Oct. 9, 1951 G. F. CHODZIESNER 2,570,913

METHOD OF SELECTIVELY COLLECTINGIAND/OR DISTRIBUTING ARTICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 50, 1947 NOE Nm ww mm Om Ow Om w j m E u u m Q a mm Q r II 1| mm B Fatented Oct. 9, 1951 METHOD CF SELECTIVELY COLLECTING AND OR DISTRIBUTIN ARTICLES Georg F. Chodziesner, Bondi, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, assignor to Communi- I cation Engineering Pty. Limited, Cammeray, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, a

corporation of Australia Application September 30, 1947, Serial No. 777,094 In Australia October 16, 1946 1 The invention relates to a method of selectively collecting and/or distributing articles from storage. In stores where a great variety of articles is to be sold, valuable time is lost when the shop assistant has to collect articles of various kinds from the shelves where they are stored. In many cases the storage place in the shop itself is only limited and the articles have to be fetched from another storage room. The customer has to wait and in busy hours further delays occur as one shop assistant has to wait for the other to clear the way.

These difiiculties are overcome according to the invention by a system for dispensing articles of different kinds from storage in which a control station or operator'sposition is provided for selecting articles forsep'arate individual orders. The articles are stored in bins, arranged in groups and associated therewith are indicating devices including a plurality of indicating means for each bin, to indicate thesequence 'of-orders of desired articles; The control station is-electrioally connected over switching-means with-the indi-. cating means to indicate simultaneously the desired articles for several consecutive orders, keyed up at the control station. Further means are provided to give an indication when all of the selected articles have been taken to complete an order and are passed on to conveying means to convey the selected articles to a delivery position.

It is another feature of the invention to indicate all items belonging to the same order and article group simultaneously and furthermore, to indicate at the same time the consecutive order, so that the next order can be prepared for delivery Whilethe first order is .still on the conveying mechanism.

According to a further feature ofthe invention, the indication for a wanted kind of article is modified in accordance with the quantity of the kind of article to be delivered for one order;

These and other features of the'invention will be'more clearly understood from the'following description in connection with the drawings which show one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows schematically one arrangement of the invention comprising three article groups.

Fig. 2 shows some of the circuits which can preferably beused in connection with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 an operators position consists of the key'arrangement I comprising one or more rows of keys 2 in which each key represents onenumerical value of the designation or code allotted to each kind of article. A separate key 3 is providedwhich is operated whenever an 6 Claims. (Cl; 1861) orderjhas been completed and a busy lamp 4 lights up whenever the system is full and cannot accept any new orders. In cases where the quantity of each kind of article to be dispensed is to be indicated as well, an additional key 5 can be provided at the operators position. All the keys can be operated either by a shop assistant or a customer himself.

The articles are stored in a storage room which can be located at any suitable distance from the shop itself. The storageroom contains shelves Ila, band He and each shelf used for one article group is sub-divided in bins as shown at I2a. Each bin is carrying articles of the same kind. An order routing device 9a, 9b, 9c is allotted to each of the shelves Ila, IIb and'IIc;

The key arrangement I is electrically connected via the cable 6 with a selective switching device I and this device transfers the designation of the wanted articles keyed up at the y arrangement I via electrical circuits 8a, 81) or to one of the various order routing devices 9a, fiber 90. Each order routing device is common to a group of different kinds of articles and is connected via cables Zla, 21b and He respectively with an indicating device Illa, Illb or IIJc which indicates the kind of article to be selected from the corresponding shelf Ila, IIb or lIc either by indicating lamps or indicating drums or other suitable arrangements. The indicating devices Illa, I0b and I0c are preferably mounted on top of their respective storage shelves Ila, IIb and He; Near each of the shelves Ha, I Ib and lie is mounted a chute or similar arrangement I3'a, I31), I30 through which the articles are passed 'on to a common conveyor belt I4. This conveyor belt then transfers the articles via a chute I5 to a delivery counter I6.

The indicating devices IIla, I01), I60 are each provided with three groups of indicating lamps IT, I8 and I9 and each group of lamps indicates the articles belonging to one order. The chutes I3a, I31) and I30 are connected over electrical circuits 20a, 20b, 200 with the corresponding order routing devices 9a, 9b, to give a clearance whenever one order indicated at the indicating device has been completely delivered. This can be done manually or can be done by electrically counting the articles passing through the chute.

The operation of the system proceeds as follows?" The operator keys up" the various digits; of the code or designation of the wanted kind of articles on the keys 2 and thus transfers this designation via the selective switching device 1 to one of the order routing devices 911, 91) or 90 according to this code or designation. Then the order routing device, for example the device Sa passes this designation on to a register 22a via a switching arrangement 25a which is only diagrammatically shown in the drawing. The register 22a then transfers this indication over a second switching arrangement 25a to the lamp indicator lta and lights up a lamp in the first group I? corresponding to the kind of article wanted from this group. It must be understood that each lamp group contains as many lamps as different kinds of articles are available at this shelf and that the electrical connections shown in the order routing device 9a are to be multipled according to the number of indicating lamps. The switching devices 2511 and 26a can be rotary switches or any other,

suitable contact arrangements.

When the operator has keyed up the designation or code of all the wanted articles belonging to one order and has thus transferred these indications to the various indicators allotted to the shelves, he presses the order complete key 3 and thus operates the switching arrangement 25a in the order routing device 912, the corresponding switching arrangements in the routing devices 91) and 9c and a busy relay common to all first registers of each shelf as will be shown later on in detail. The next order keyed up. on the key set will be taken up by the second registers 23a and so on and from there will be transferred to group I8 of the indicating lamps. The same operation is repeated for the third order taken up by register 24a. In the example given, the indicating device and the order routing device are set up for simultaneous indication of thee consecutive orders as indicated. by the three rows of lamps I1, [8 and IS. The sequence of these orders is indicated as well by the sequence in which they appear at these three groups of indicating lamps. When the operator has pressed the order complete key 3 after having keyed up the third order, a busy lamp 4 lights up at the operators position over the circuit 2'! which connects the busy relay group 28 for the various shelf groups with the operators position. This lamp indicates to the operator that no more orders can be taken up by the system.

The store assistant who is to select the articles from the shelf allotted to him, for example shelf Ila, passes all the articles through his chute IM to the conveyor belt l4. When he has finished one order as indicated by the group of indicating lamps l1, he operates a contact at his chute and thus clears his register 22a via the circuit 29a, extinguishing the lamp in the first lamp group ll. It must be understood that instead of manual operation an automatically working contact arrangement on the chute l3a can fulfil the same purpose. This contact arrangement is then connected with a counting device which for example, gives an indication to the register 22a when the number of articles passed through the chute 13a corresponds to the number of articles indicated by the indicating lamps of group ll.

When all store assistants have selected the articles of the first order from their respective shelves and have passed them on to the conveying mechanism and when all the registers (22a, 22b, 220) for the first order have been cleared, a switching arrangement such as 26a,

in each order routing device 9a, 9b and 9 op- 4 crates and thus connects now the registers such as 230/. with the first group of indicating lamps, the register such as 2411. with the second group of indicating lamps and the register such as 220. with the third group of indicating lamps. The indication which represented the second order is thus transferred to the indicating lamps l! of the first group and the indication which represented the third order is now transferred to the indicating lamps ll? of the second group. This indicates to the store assistant that he can proceed now with the delivery of the articles wanted for the second order. At the same time the busy lamp 4 at the operators position is extinguished and thus indicates that a new order can be keyed up. This new order is'then recorded at register 22a in the order routing devices 9a and the corresponding registers of the order routing devices 91) and 9c, and from there via the switching arrangement 2601. transferred to the third group of in: dicating lamps I9. The cycle of operation continues for each following order in the manner described above. Details of the circuit are given 'lateron in connection with Fig. 2.

The arrangement-described above enables the store assistant to see at any time which articles from his group are wanted for three consecutive orders. No time delay therefore need occur in collecting the articles and in transporting the articles to the delivery counter from where they can be collected after payment by the customer.

In cases where it, is necessary to indicate when more than one article of the same kind is to be selected and distributed for the same order, a separate quantity key 5 is provided at the operators position. The indication of the quantity of articles of the same kind which are wanted can for example be made by flickering the indieating lamp in a special rhythm corresponding to the number of articles wanted. This rhythm can be controlled by alternating currents of different frequencies and/or phase, 'as indicated schematically by the device 29 connected with the ke arrangement I.

Details of the electrical circuits used in an arrangement as described above are shown in Fig. 2.

It must be understood that only those parts of the circuit are shown which are necessary to show the working of the arrangement and that all duplicated circuits are omitted.

When the first order has to be put into the system, the operator presses one of the keys 2 corresponding to the designation or code of the wanted article and thus operates the selective switchingdevice 1 which picks up and connects one of the control wires 8a via the contacts 32, $2 and 52 in parallel with earth applied to the break contact of key 5. Thusv a circuit is closed for relay 60 from key 5 over the abovementioned contacts and the wire 8a and from there over the selector switch a, make before-break contact 6!, relay 60 to battery. Rela operates its contacts BI, 62 and 63. Over the contact Bl its connection with the switch 25a is interrupted and earth is applied now from switch $5a via the selector switch 26d and the contact 6| over the winding of relay so that this relay remains locked. Via contact 63, the lamp I! lights up as direct current is applied over the selector switch 59 and switch 26a to this lamp. An additional relay group shown diagrammatically at 58 is connectedvia the contact 62 wi h itch 2511 ample and thus with the quantity key of the op erators position.

, When the operator now wants to indicate the quantity of the wanted kind of article indicated by the indicating lamp l1, he first presses 'key '5 and thus removes earth from the contacts 52, '42 and 32 and the wire 8a, so that this wire cannot be picked up for further selection. At the same time the connection to switch a is switched over to the row of keys 2 so'that when one of these keys is pressed to indicate the quantity switch 25a is connected withan alternating cur rent source 29 connected with another contact of the keys 2. Each key 2 is connected with "a separate source of alternating current of different frequency or phase to givean indicationot the specific key that has been operated; This alternating current operates a relay group '58 via the following circuit: From earth and thealter 7 selector switch 59 to an appropriate outlet which introduces alternating'current of specificfrequency or phase into the circuit of the indicating lamp I1 via the contact 63, and switch 26a so that this lamp flickers now in a rhythm controlled by the operated key 2. This'indicates to the store assistant the quantity of the article designated for selection by lamp 11.

When one complete order has been keyed up by the operator, the operator presses the key 3 which indicates that the order is completed and operates via earth applied to this key, the magnet 64 for the common selector switch 25'and the selector switches 25a'and'so on; Atthe same time the relay 30 is energised via the selector switch 25 and the make-before-break contact 3|. To ensure that the relay 30 operates before the selector switch 25 moves one step further up} the switches are so-arranged that the'stepping' up to the next contact occurs when the magnet 64 releases a ain after the operator has released key 3. Relay 30 looks itself from earth over contact 49 of relay 48, its own contact 3| and its winding 30 to battery. Relay 39 opens its contact 32 and closes its contact 33 to prepare the .which opens its contacts 42, closes itscontact 43 and locks itself over contact 4| in a similar way as described before for relay'30. The third order is then put in by the operator in the same way. When the operator presses the order complete key 3 relay is operated and opens its contact 52 and closes its contact 53.

mentioned before, the system described in this embodiment is built for three consecutive orders, so that no further orders can be taken up before one order has been cleared. To indicate that no more orders can be taken up, busy circuit for the relay 60. thus opens the contact 63 extinguishing the lamp 1'! for the first order. of contact'6l connects relay again with the first co'ntactof switch 25a. but as the line 8a "is still interrupted at the contacts 32, 42 and the next order.

"lamp 4 lights up via the closed contacts 33, 43

all the articles wanted for the first order and has passed them on to the conveyor mechanism, he-operates the key a. and thus interrupts the Relay 60releases and The change over '52 no new-selection can be put into this-part of the system. -Over earth at the key 65a the relay 34 is energised and closes its contact'35, 36 and 39. Via the contact 39 a holding circuit for relay 34 is closed from earth over contact 39, break contact 38 of magnet 31, winding of relay 34 to battery, so that this relay remains energised when key 650. is released. The contact 36 prepares a circuit for the magnet 31 but this circuit is still interrupted at the contacts 46 and 56 of other article groups. The contact 35 prepares a circuit for the relay 48, but this circuit is still interrupted at the contacts 45 and 55 of the other shelf groups.

When all store assistants have fulfilled the first order indicated at their" indicating devices and have operated their respective keys 65a..and so on the relays 44 and 54 are energised in the same way as the relay 34. The contacts 45 and 55 are closed and a circuit is now completed from earth via contacts 55, 45 and 35, common selector switch 26, relay 48 to battery. Therelay 48 operates, opens its contact 49 and thus interrupts the holding circuit for relay 30. Relay 30 releases, opens the contact 33 thus extinguishing the busy lamp 4, and closes the contact 32 thus connecting the control wire from key 5 through to the selective switchingv device 1-. Over contact 3i relay 30 connects itself again with the selector switch 25 so that a new order can be put into the system.

When the relays 34, 44 and 54 are energised as described above, the contacts 36, 46 and 56 are closed and complete a circuit from earth over contact 56, magnet 51, contact 46, magnet 41, contact 36 and magnet3l to earth. All the magnets operate now and move the switches '26,

26d,'26e and 26 and the order sequence switches 25a and so on one step forward, thus connecting the first lamp group with the relay group for The indications set up in the second relay group are now transferred to the first lamp group, and in the same way the third order takes the place of the second order, The magnet 31, 41 and 51 operate break contacts such as contact 38 and thus interrupt the circuit for the relays 34, 44 and 54 respectively restoring the whole circuit to its original position with the exception that the switches 25,. 26d, 26c and 26f and the switches 260. are now stepped one step forward.

When a new order is put in before the other orders have been cleared, this new order would get the place of the third order indicated by the t ird I mp rouplille her sanct o s for" any new order are the am s d cri da esoon as three orders a e put into thesvsie ni the busy si nal ancear an wh nev r Pi e oi th e c dershas be n clea d an i dica o is iven that, th nest, ord r car bep lt i iqih system. .c

, When only two of three diif eren quantities of articles of thesam kind have t be elec ed at the sam time. s m le arr n emen s he us d f the re ay roup 58, bu it must he understoodthat by u in m re elabor te rela circu any other num er of. di i rent quantit esca be indicated a cwclllc V c .As each. store ass stant s cts the articles 2.19

one article ro p on an ge s n i dic ti eni all the. articlesbeion ms to. on ord ie eouslv, his. m vem ts re. ut d c h d a m nuscul- 1T0 adap the vs m t ea and ack ho rs the indicatin devi e n be qr one store. assistant ay e able to W 1 sev ra mdicating. devices and t select a t. 1.

vari us groups n s ack. p riod when. order have to ev delive e t va iqi s delivery cou t a plurali y Q ccn ycr belt l4 and chut s it can h provide r. each Qflih shelves H and addi ional s nal t ansmittedwi h each .or e to ndica e to he s r assistant o which co n er o o her cali y the particular crderh s t he d rec ed V .7

Ma y modifi ati ns .Qi eme h d. d scrib above are poss ble ithou depa ti rqm the scope of e inven on.

Icl iin: c

1. A system for dispensing articles of difierent kinds from stora e, said system eir nrisins a control statienic sele t n rtic es Q j eparat individual orders; .steraafhin arran ed smile tor the s ora f a c s; i d cat n evi es associated with each o s sml ps D c 9 i b n and including a p ural t f. ndic t nswmeai s o each b e o s id; ndicatin i i atin th sequence o e' o desi e arii. as: switching means and e ectricalcnnectien t erefrom to said indicating means and said QQ K station tov indicate simultaneously the desired articles for n utive order me ns Qnerabl to indicate when all of the selected articles have been taken to complete an order; and conveying means to convey s id elec e articles to a delivery position.

2. A system for dispensing articles of different kinds from storage, said system comprising a set of electrical contacts for selecting articles for separate individual orders; storage bins. for .s.a id 55 articles arranged in groups; indicating devices, one device being provided for each of said groups of storage bins and including a plurality of indicating means for each bin to indicate the sequence of orders of desired articles. of the same kind; switching means to selectively connee-t said set of electrical contacts with saidinselected articles have been taken to complete an order; and conveying means to, convey said selected articles to a delivery position.

,Asvst tor i pens n a ticles; of dif e ent kinds from storage said system com risin '94 91} trol station including a keyset for the selecting of articles'of different orders; storage bins for said articles arranged in groups; an indicating device for each of said groups including a plural ity of indicating means foreach bin to indicate the selection of the same article for consecutive orders; a plurality of switching arrangements connectable with the indicating means of each loin to indicate articles desired for one order on'a corresponding indicating means, to store said indication; and to transfer said indication to another indicating means of the same bin upon completion ofan order; switching means and electrical connections, therefrom to said control station and operable thereby, said switching means being electrically connected with said switching arrangements to control said" indicat.- ing means; meansoperable to indicate when all selected articles have been taken to complete an orderfsaid means' controlling said switching arrangements, for the transfer of indications from oneto the other'indic'ating'means; and conveying means to convey said selected articles to a delivery position. 4. A'system for dispensing articles of difierent kinds as claimed in claim 3 in which said control station includes means operable by said switching arrangements to give a signal when all switching arrangements have stored indications I9 desired articles. I

5; A system for dispensing articles of difierent kinds from storage, said system comprising storage bins for the storage of articles, indicat ing means associated therewith for'the indication of desired articles; a control station; switch..- ing means and electrical connections thereirom to said control station and said indicating means; said control station including a key set for the selection of desired articles, sources of alternating current and switching means to connectsaid sources of alternating current with said key set to modify upon additional operation of one or the keys of said key set the indication representing a selected kind of article at said indicating device in accordance with the quantity desired.

6, A system for dispensing articles of difierent kinds as claimed in claim 5 and in which indication control means including sources of alternating current are associated with said indicating means to selectively connect said indicating ,means with one of said sources of alternatin current under the control of said control station.

GEORG F. CHQDZIESNEB.

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